Heyla, all!
I've scheduled a group meeting for Friday, October 5, 2007, at 9am Pacific/12pm Eastern/5pm France (sorry, I'm not sure if this is a correct calculation, nor do I know the proper name of the timezone for France, but at least I tried!). If this isn't a good time for any of you, please let me know. I will do everything I can to try to make sure that most, if not all, members of the group can make it to the meeting, for we've important items to discuss.
[Link to Event Details: Broke Developers Get Together]
Also, I would like everyone to note that I've begun making use of this website by advertising the group's auctions in the classifieds and in the forums under "Marketplace." Let me know if this actually helps anyone make sales!
That's about it, for now. I'll let you all know if anything else has come up.
TheKeeper
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Broke Developers Group Post-Showcase Report
Heyla, all!
First, I would like to an extend a warm thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the first ever Broke Developers Showcase! Thank you, very much, for taking the time to come on out and show off the things you have to sell! A special thank you goes out to El, who took the time to write the Broke Developers Trivia Mini-Quest! They were awsome, and linked to our auctions beautfully!
Now, on to the news of what transpired. Well, the good news is that 16 members showed up for the event. The bad news is that most of who showed up were devs. However, those few buyers who DID show up liked what we had to offer so well that they intend to spread the word about us, so the event couldn't have been that bad!
And speaking of spreading the word, as promised, Geea, owner and reporter of the Voice of There, an extremely popular There news site, had briefly attended the event. She took some pictures, and promised to have the article on the showcase out on Tuesday. With this article will be the debut of her New Designer Highlight section, where a member from our group will be highlighted each week.
Two people have sent me their auction links and product pictures . If you'd like the exposure you would gain from being highlighted in Geea's New Designer Highlight section, please send me any pictures you may have of your products, along with a link to you auctions. I'll forward those off to Geea, and she'll have the highlight on you prepared and ready for the next week!
Hopefully, Geea's efforts will help us gain a better turnout for future events. I must admit that the turnout was so dismal, this time, that we couldn't even hold the raffle. There wasn't anyone to raffle to! But that's all right. I know a big part of the problem is that the raffle wasn't mentioned in our event description, simply because there wasn't going to be one, initially!
At this time, those who had kindly donated items for the raffle decided that we should hold onto them for the event. We will advertise the raffle, next time, and hopefully get a better turnout.
I would like to schedule a group meeting sometime next week. At this point in time, I'm thinking of hosting it on Friday, October 5, 2007, 9am Pacific Standard Time. If this isn't a good time for everyone, please let me know, and we'll find a time that will allow the greatest number of people to be present.
Items to be discussed:
1. Thanks to a generous donation by one of our group members, initially intended for the raffle, but now simply donated to the group for whatever we need, our group coffers have grown, once again. We really need to sit down and decide what to do with the money, once and for all! Suggested uses have been:
a. use it to pay for hired help that will advertise our auctions by either handing out scrolls and such with our usction links, or using an item we have lent then,
b. making a sign for the group, complete with a group picture, to advertise us,
c. making group shirts,
d. buying the scrolls and brochures needed to advertise our group acutions,
e. using some of the cash in an event raffle.
If you have any more ideas, right them down, and we'll discuss it!
2. Our future events will be held at a frontier zone, in order to better handle a large amount of people and a large number of vehicles that will be put on display. Details about this will be given at the meeting.
3. Thanks to DavyRocket, I realized that we need to establish clear rules for what we expect from members, in general, and at our events. We will discuss those rules at the meeting
4. Hiring people to to use our things or hand out scrolls with links to our auctions. It's a good idea, and we can afford to pay them with the group cash we have on hand, too. Again, details will be discussed at the meeting.
5. Anything else you may think is important.
And that's where we're at, right now! Again, thank you, everyone, for attending the showcase! Now that I know what to expect, we'll hopefully have things a bit more organized the next time around!
Hoping to hear from you, soon,
TheKeeper
First, I would like to an extend a warm thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the first ever Broke Developers Showcase! Thank you, very much, for taking the time to come on out and show off the things you have to sell! A special thank you goes out to El, who took the time to write the Broke Developers Trivia Mini-Quest! They were awsome, and linked to our auctions beautfully!
Now, on to the news of what transpired. Well, the good news is that 16 members showed up for the event. The bad news is that most of who showed up were devs. However, those few buyers who DID show up liked what we had to offer so well that they intend to spread the word about us, so the event couldn't have been that bad!
And speaking of spreading the word, as promised, Geea, owner and reporter of the Voice of There, an extremely popular There news site, had briefly attended the event. She took some pictures, and promised to have the article on the showcase out on Tuesday. With this article will be the debut of her New Designer Highlight section, where a member from our group will be highlighted each week.
Two people have sent me their auction links and product pictures . If you'd like the exposure you would gain from being highlighted in Geea's New Designer Highlight section, please send me any pictures you may have of your products, along with a link to you auctions. I'll forward those off to Geea, and she'll have the highlight on you prepared and ready for the next week!
Hopefully, Geea's efforts will help us gain a better turnout for future events. I must admit that the turnout was so dismal, this time, that we couldn't even hold the raffle. There wasn't anyone to raffle to! But that's all right. I know a big part of the problem is that the raffle wasn't mentioned in our event description, simply because there wasn't going to be one, initially!
At this time, those who had kindly donated items for the raffle decided that we should hold onto them for the event. We will advertise the raffle, next time, and hopefully get a better turnout.
I would like to schedule a group meeting sometime next week. At this point in time, I'm thinking of hosting it on Friday, October 5, 2007, 9am Pacific Standard Time. If this isn't a good time for everyone, please let me know, and we'll find a time that will allow the greatest number of people to be present.
Items to be discussed:
1. Thanks to a generous donation by one of our group members, initially intended for the raffle, but now simply donated to the group for whatever we need, our group coffers have grown, once again. We really need to sit down and decide what to do with the money, once and for all! Suggested uses have been:
a. use it to pay for hired help that will advertise our auctions by either handing out scrolls and such with our usction links, or using an item we have lent then,
b. making a sign for the group, complete with a group picture, to advertise us,
c. making group shirts,
d. buying the scrolls and brochures needed to advertise our group acutions,
e. using some of the cash in an event raffle.
If you have any more ideas, right them down, and we'll discuss it!
2. Our future events will be held at a frontier zone, in order to better handle a large amount of people and a large number of vehicles that will be put on display. Details about this will be given at the meeting.
3. Thanks to DavyRocket, I realized that we need to establish clear rules for what we expect from members, in general, and at our events. We will discuss those rules at the meeting
4. Hiring people to to use our things or hand out scrolls with links to our auctions. It's a good idea, and we can afford to pay them with the group cash we have on hand, too. Again, details will be discussed at the meeting.
5. Anything else you may think is important.
And that's where we're at, right now! Again, thank you, everyone, for attending the showcase! Now that I know what to expect, we'll hopefully have things a bit more organized the next time around!
Hoping to hear from you, soon,
TheKeeper
Suggestions for Inexpensive Ways To Market Your Items in There
Over the course of the last few months, I've found some nice, inexpensive marketing alternatives that new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers can take advantage of.
1. Use the classifieds to advertise your auctions. It's perfectly free! The classifieds can be found by going to There, There Central, People, and on the right side of that page, there's a little sidebar with a link to the classifieds.
2. Use the forums. There are two threads that deal specifically with selling your items: The Marketplace forum thread and the Advetsiements - New Developer Items thread. Again, posting in forums is completely free, and it gets your name and your auctions out to the public!
3. Use ThereDocs that link to your auctions. While ThereDocs cost 2,000 tbux each, they are worth the money you spend on them, as you can leave them in high-traffic areas for people to see and peruse. While you can drop ThereDocs anywhere that dropping is allowed, asking for permission from zone owners to drop your ThereDoc is a polite and standard practice.
4. There is a There employee by the name of _Emma who, once a month, hosts a There Designer Showcase. All developers are welcome to join and showcase whatever items they wish to sell. Attendence is free, so why not take advantage of the exposure this will give you?
Also, be on the lookout for her planning events, as this is where you can learn about the theme for the next showcase. With this knowledge, you can plan accordingly. While you needn't have items according to that theme, guests will arrive looking for items with that theme in mind. Just keep that fact in mind.
5. Join the Broke Developers Group. Actually, this isn't the shameless plugin it sounds like it is. Geea, owner of the Voice of There, a popular There news site, was touched by my mention of the Broke Developers Group in an interview, and she wanted to do something to help the group out. So she decided to create a brand new section on her news site that will highlight a developer from the Broke Developers Group each week. The advertisement is completely free, and it will reach a wide number of people. All the group members must do is send me an e-mail with their product pictures and auction links, and I will forward them to Geea. Be sure, however, that the product pictures are of products that have been approved by There, as she wants to prevent other developers from stealing your ideas. And there you have it! Free advertisment!
6. Be involved with the Broke Developers Group. You won't automatically make sales by simply being a part of the group. You need to take an active participation in the group for that to happen. Respond to my e-mails, sned those product pics and auction links, attend the group get togethers as well as the group's main event: The Broke Developers Showcase. Through this active participation, you're more likely to make sales!
7. Join the Developers Group. Joining this group allows you to speak to the more well-established developers of There. Many of them are quite friendly and are more than happy to share what they have learned with you. Listen well, and take notes.
Also, be aware that there is a Developer Program forum that also allows you to converse with these developers. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and to listen to whatever advice they may have. You may not have to take that advice immediately, but perhaps, in the future, you'll find that you're in a better position to go with what you have learned.
Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. You needn't follow them, if you feel you have a better means of promoting yourself. But seeing the suggestions one has to offer can never hurt!
Moreover, be advised that none of these suggestions are guaranteed to make you sales. If they do help, well and good. If they don't, all I can say is to keep trying. Eventually, with patience, you'll be noticed.
Best of fortunes to you,
TheKeeper
1. Use the classifieds to advertise your auctions. It's perfectly free! The classifieds can be found by going to There, There Central, People, and on the right side of that page, there's a little sidebar with a link to the classifieds.
2. Use the forums. There are two threads that deal specifically with selling your items: The Marketplace forum thread and the Advetsiements - New Developer Items thread. Again, posting in forums is completely free, and it gets your name and your auctions out to the public!
3. Use ThereDocs that link to your auctions. While ThereDocs cost 2,000 tbux each, they are worth the money you spend on them, as you can leave them in high-traffic areas for people to see and peruse. While you can drop ThereDocs anywhere that dropping is allowed, asking for permission from zone owners to drop your ThereDoc is a polite and standard practice.
4. There is a There employee by the name of _Emma who, once a month, hosts a There Designer Showcase. All developers are welcome to join and showcase whatever items they wish to sell. Attendence is free, so why not take advantage of the exposure this will give you?
Also, be on the lookout for her planning events, as this is where you can learn about the theme for the next showcase. With this knowledge, you can plan accordingly. While you needn't have items according to that theme, guests will arrive looking for items with that theme in mind. Just keep that fact in mind.
5. Join the Broke Developers Group. Actually, this isn't the shameless plugin it sounds like it is. Geea, owner of the Voice of There, a popular There news site, was touched by my mention of the Broke Developers Group in an interview, and she wanted to do something to help the group out. So she decided to create a brand new section on her news site that will highlight a developer from the Broke Developers Group each week. The advertisement is completely free, and it will reach a wide number of people. All the group members must do is send me an e-mail with their product pictures and auction links, and I will forward them to Geea. Be sure, however, that the product pictures are of products that have been approved by There, as she wants to prevent other developers from stealing your ideas. And there you have it! Free advertisment!
6. Be involved with the Broke Developers Group. You won't automatically make sales by simply being a part of the group. You need to take an active participation in the group for that to happen. Respond to my e-mails, sned those product pics and auction links, attend the group get togethers as well as the group's main event: The Broke Developers Showcase. Through this active participation, you're more likely to make sales!
7. Join the Developers Group. Joining this group allows you to speak to the more well-established developers of There. Many of them are quite friendly and are more than happy to share what they have learned with you. Listen well, and take notes.
Also, be aware that there is a Developer Program forum that also allows you to converse with these developers. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and to listen to whatever advice they may have. You may not have to take that advice immediately, but perhaps, in the future, you'll find that you're in a better position to go with what you have learned.
Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. You needn't follow them, if you feel you have a better means of promoting yourself. But seeing the suggestions one has to offer can never hurt!
Moreover, be advised that none of these suggestions are guaranteed to make you sales. If they do help, well and good. If they don't, all I can say is to keep trying. Eventually, with patience, you'll be noticed.
Best of fortunes to you,
TheKeeper
Broke Developers Group Event Rules
Welcome, one and all, to the Broke Developers Showcase! If you are a new, broke, or otherwise struggling developer, and you want to show your work, then this is the time and place to do so. Of course, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for all, there are certain rules that must be observed and followed.
1. Please place your items for display in the designated areas. A Rules Book will be provided to direct you as to where you may place your items. This allows our guests to easily find what they are looking for, and gives our showcase an organized, professional look. However, do not feel you must remain near your items. Feel free to mingle with our guests, as you please.
2. Please do not solicit people for sponsorships. This means no asking, let alone begging, people for money to make your submissions. Please see rule 1 in our Group Rules of Behaviour.
3. Please do not harass others, or bother them in any way. You will be warned ONCE. If you persist, you will be banned from the event. No questions asked!
We wish you all good fortune in making sales!
TheKeeper, and DavyRocket
1. Please place your items for display in the designated areas. A Rules Book will be provided to direct you as to where you may place your items. This allows our guests to easily find what they are looking for, and gives our showcase an organized, professional look. However, do not feel you must remain near your items. Feel free to mingle with our guests, as you please.
2. Please do not solicit people for sponsorships. This means no asking, let alone begging, people for money to make your submissions. Please see rule 1 in our Group Rules of Behaviour.
3. Please do not harass others, or bother them in any way. You will be warned ONCE. If you persist, you will be banned from the event. No questions asked!
We wish you all good fortune in making sales!
TheKeeper, and DavyRocket
Group Rules of Behaviour
Heyla, all!
To maintain the harmony of the group, rules of behaviour must be established.
1. Do not solicit sponsorships. This means no asking, let alone begging, people to sponsor your work. If they see your work and decide to just outright give you the funds to submit your next product, that's wonderful! But let's not ruin other people's enjoyment of There by asking them for free money. Think of the countless times you've had someone IM you, only for that person to suddenly and outright ask if they can have money. It's exactly the same thing if we ask people to sponsor us.
2. Treat others with respect and kindness. We're all here to help each other, not start up verbal warfare.. If there's a disagreement, simply take it as it is: a difference of opinion, and let the matter drop.
3. If you have a problem or issue with the way the group is being run, please, talk to me about it. You may have to explain the issue a few times in different ways before I finally see the issue from your point of view, but I'll eventually come around. I'll think over the matter, and if need be, see if a compromise can be reached.
4. This group was created with the intention of helping everyone make more sales. As such, since the group is doing so much to benefit you, you must do your part to help benefit the group. Therefore, each month, at least one group member will be asked to donate at least one of the free items they receive upon approval of a submission for the purposes of the raffle that is held at the end of our monthly showcases. Again, this is only fair, as the showcases we hold are meant to aid you in generating sales.
You may ask why we bother to hold raffles in the first place. This is a fair question. The raffles encourage people to attend our showcases and stay till the end, which, in turn, will help generate sales, as we are able to mingle and, in the mingling, hopefully convince someone that buying one or more of our items is a very good idea! Besides, the items we give away are simply another form of advertising the products we have to offer, as the people who win our items will use them, and through the use of these items, they will spread the word about us, which, again, will help generate more sales.
5. The group will be employing different marketing strategies to help promote our various products, and not all of these strategies will be free of cost. As these marketing strategies are helping you, as a member of the group, you, in turn, are expected to help contribute to the cost of marketing if and when the need arises. This is only fair, as our merketing strategies are meant to help you generate sales.
Again, we have rules for a reason. I ask that these rules be observed and followed accordingly. Those who break these rules will be dealt with, accordingly. If you have any issues with these rules, please see me, and we'll talk about the matter.
Please note that these rules are subject to change as the group learns and grows over time.
TheKeeper
To maintain the harmony of the group, rules of behaviour must be established.
1. Do not solicit sponsorships. This means no asking, let alone begging, people to sponsor your work. If they see your work and decide to just outright give you the funds to submit your next product, that's wonderful! But let's not ruin other people's enjoyment of There by asking them for free money. Think of the countless times you've had someone IM you, only for that person to suddenly and outright ask if they can have money. It's exactly the same thing if we ask people to sponsor us.
2. Treat others with respect and kindness. We're all here to help each other, not start up verbal warfare.. If there's a disagreement, simply take it as it is: a difference of opinion, and let the matter drop.
3. If you have a problem or issue with the way the group is being run, please, talk to me about it. You may have to explain the issue a few times in different ways before I finally see the issue from your point of view, but I'll eventually come around. I'll think over the matter, and if need be, see if a compromise can be reached.
4. This group was created with the intention of helping everyone make more sales. As such, since the group is doing so much to benefit you, you must do your part to help benefit the group. Therefore, each month, at least one group member will be asked to donate at least one of the free items they receive upon approval of a submission for the purposes of the raffle that is held at the end of our monthly showcases. Again, this is only fair, as the showcases we hold are meant to aid you in generating sales.
You may ask why we bother to hold raffles in the first place. This is a fair question. The raffles encourage people to attend our showcases and stay till the end, which, in turn, will help generate sales, as we are able to mingle and, in the mingling, hopefully convince someone that buying one or more of our items is a very good idea! Besides, the items we give away are simply another form of advertising the products we have to offer, as the people who win our items will use them, and through the use of these items, they will spread the word about us, which, again, will help generate more sales.
5. The group will be employing different marketing strategies to help promote our various products, and not all of these strategies will be free of cost. As these marketing strategies are helping you, as a member of the group, you, in turn, are expected to help contribute to the cost of marketing if and when the need arises. This is only fair, as our merketing strategies are meant to help you generate sales.
Again, we have rules for a reason. I ask that these rules be observed and followed accordingly. Those who break these rules will be dealt with, accordingly. If you have any issues with these rules, please see me, and we'll talk about the matter.
Please note that these rules are subject to change as the group learns and grows over time.
TheKeeper
The Broke Developers Mission Statement
Heyla and well met!
The Broke Developers Group was formed on the idea that new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers needed a means to work together and pool available resources in order to better promote their products. For example, every so often, the group can hold a “Broke Developers Showcase” where their items may be displayed and modeled for potential customers to view and hopefully purchase. Or perhaps, if a member did not currently have the funds to purchase a ThereDoc to advertise his or her auctions, the group can come together and pool some money so that member may purchase one. The group can also be used as a clearing house for information that can prove useful, such as information on philanthropic groups that provide funds to developers so that they may advertise their products, and information about people who hold great gala events periodically, events where developers’ products may be showcased and garner greater attention. These are only a sample of the many ways the Broke Developers Group can help each other. As the group grows and develops, many more ways to help new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers will no doubt surface.
As one can see, such a group holds great potential for its members. My hope is to see that potential fulfilled.
TheKeeper
Link to the There forum thread that gave birth to the group:
forums.prod.there.com/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Boar d=developers&Number=607258&page=0&view=coll apsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=all
The Broke Developers Group was formed on the idea that new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers needed a means to work together and pool available resources in order to better promote their products. For example, every so often, the group can hold a “Broke Developers Showcase” where their items may be displayed and modeled for potential customers to view and hopefully purchase. Or perhaps, if a member did not currently have the funds to purchase a ThereDoc to advertise his or her auctions, the group can come together and pool some money so that member may purchase one. The group can also be used as a clearing house for information that can prove useful, such as information on philanthropic groups that provide funds to developers so that they may advertise their products, and information about people who hold great gala events periodically, events where developers’ products may be showcased and garner greater attention. These are only a sample of the many ways the Broke Developers Group can help each other. As the group grows and develops, many more ways to help new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers will no doubt surface.
As one can see, such a group holds great potential for its members. My hope is to see that potential fulfilled.
TheKeeper
Link to the There forum thread that gave birth to the group:
forums.prod.there.com/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Boar d=developers&Number=607258&page=0&view=coll apsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=all
Welcome, From the Broke Developers Group of There!
Heyla and well met!
The Broke Developers Group is where new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers can come together and pool their resources so that they may better promote their products. But this group isn’t for developers, only.
Anyone is free to apply, and acceptance into the group is automatic. The idea is to welcome anyone who’s willing to help new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers become successful, whether that help comes in the form of sharing information on where developers can go to get help in submitting or advertising their work, brainstorming on new and inexpensive ways to promote products, or spreading the word about these relatively unknown products. These are just a few of the methods one can use to help the group out, and as one can see, help can come in many ways that don’t actually involve directly contributing tbux! So, what are you waiting for? Click that join button!
Hoping to meet new members every day,
TheKeeper
The Broke Developers Group is where new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers can come together and pool their resources so that they may better promote their products. But this group isn’t for developers, only.
Anyone is free to apply, and acceptance into the group is automatic. The idea is to welcome anyone who’s willing to help new, broke, or otherwise struggling developers become successful, whether that help comes in the form of sharing information on where developers can go to get help in submitting or advertising their work, brainstorming on new and inexpensive ways to promote products, or spreading the word about these relatively unknown products. These are just a few of the methods one can use to help the group out, and as one can see, help can come in many ways that don’t actually involve directly contributing tbux! So, what are you waiting for? Click that join button!
Hoping to meet new members every day,
TheKeeper
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